Federal authorities say a tip from a concerned citizen led to the discovery that the employee had misrepresented her immigration and work authorization status.

KILLEEN, Texas — The Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agency released new details Friday on the Killeen Independent School District employee who was arrested for allegedly falsifying employment paperwork.

According to an ICE spokesperson, Ofelia Negrete-Arriaga, 57, falsified employment documents and misrepresented her immigration status for close to 20 years. 

Negrete-Arriaga “illegally entered the U.S. six times, deceived school board members, parents, students, and taxpayers by falsely claiming she was in the U.S. legally and authorized to work in our schools,” the spokesperson said. 

Negrete was taken into custody by ICE on October 3, with assistance from the Killeen Independent School District Police Department. She faces charges of illegal reentry into the United States, after previously being deported in September of 2011.

Killeen ISD released it’s own statement on Oct. 8 saying the arrest was “not related to student of staff safety.”

“In coordination with federal authorities, Killeen ISD Police assisted in executing the warrant, as legally required,” the statement reads. “KISD Police and Human Resources staff worked to handle the situation appropriately and with care for the individual involved, including helping the employee contact family and coordinating the retrieval of personal items before the arrest.”

An investigation remains ongoing into what ICE officials call “suspected criminal conduct” related to the actions taken by Negrete to get and maintain her job at KISD

According to KISD Executive Director of Communications Karen Rudolph, Negrete-Arriaga worked as a custodian at Harker Heights High School on three separate occasions – Dec 4, 2003 to Sept. 9, 2005, March 30, 2006 to April 9, 2010, and Dec. 20, 2012 to Oct. 3 2025.

Rudolph said before they are hired, all employees go through finger printing and a background check. They also must submit an I-9 form along with supplemental documents. Rudolph was unable to provide any other details.

“Killeen ISD remains focused on maintaining a safe, supportive learning environment for every student and ensuring our schools are places where all children can learn, grow, and thrive,” 

An investigation remains ongoing into what ICE officials call “suspected criminal conduct” related to the actions taken by Negrete to get and maintain her job at KISD.


What happened?

According to a criminal complaint filed with the Western District of Texas U.S. District Court in Waco, the investigation started Sept. 29 through “an inquiry by the KISD Police Department after a concerned person reported defendant Negrete-Arriaga for possible fraud.” 

KISD Police then contacted ICE’s Waco office, who, after performing a check of their Enforcement Alien Removal Module system, discovered that Negrete-Arriaga had been previously removed from the country, the complaint states.

An arrest warrant was issued for Negrete-Arriaga Oct. 2. The warrant was executed on Oct. 3, according to the court filing.

The complaint states Negrete illegally reentered the United States sometime after her deportation in September, 2011 without obtaining permission from the U.S. Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security.

According to court documents, Negrete’s next hearing is set for Oct. 14 in Judge Derek Gilliland’s court.


Full Statement from Immigration and Customs Enforcement:

For nearly 17 years, Ofelia Negrete Arriaga, a 57-year-old criminal alien from Mexico who has illegally entered the U.S. six times, deceived school board members, parents, students, and taxpayers by falsely claiming she was in the U.S. legally and authorized to work in our schools. Thanks to a tip from a concerned citizen, her lies were uncovered and she is no longer in position of trust where she could potentially endanger our children.

On Oct. 3, in conjunction with the KISD Police Department, ICE executed a warrant for Negrete’s arrest, and she was safely taken into custody without impacting the school’s operations or students. Following the arrest, ICE transferred Negrete to the U.S. Marshals Service to be prosecuted for illegal reentry. An investigation remains ongoing into suspected criminal conduct related to Negrete’s actions to secure her position with KISD.


Full Statement from Killeen Independent School District:

On Oct. 3, 2025, a felony federal warrant was issued for the arrest of a Killeen ISD employee related to falsifying employment paperwork. This matter is not related to student or staff safety. 

In coordination with federal authorities, Killeen ISD Police assisted in executing the warrant, as legally required. KISD Police and Human Resources staff worked to handle the situation appropriately and with care for the individual involved, including helping the employee contact family and coordinating the retrieval of personal items before the arrest. 

Because this is a personnel matter, the district cannot share additional details.  

Killeen ISD remains focused on maintaining a safe, supportive learning environment for every student and ensuring our schools are places where all children can learn, grow, and thrive. 

Please direct additional inquiries to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Public Affairs Officer Timothy Oberle at timothy.n.oberle@ice.dhs.gov.